The purpose of preparing a house for the Lord is—?

Check! To make it possible for the Father and Christ to dwell among the people whom They love.

The mystery of the Gospel is Christ in us, the hope of glory. The glory that we hope for includes our being raised from the dead and returning with the Lord Jesus to receive our inheritance—the nations of saved people and the farthest reaches of the earth.

Of all the things I teach, the concept of the saved nations may be the most difficult for believers to grasp. The idea that there shall be multitudes of people who will be saved from God's wrath seems to be so contrary to what is commonly taught as to prevent ready understanding. Yet, until we perceive from the Scriptures that there shall be nations of people who will be saved into the new heaven and earth reign of Jesus Christ, but who are not members of the Church, the Body of Christ, the new Jerusalem, we cannot possibly comprehend the Kingdom of God.

The members of the Church, the royal priesthood, have been called from among the ranks of mankind to be specially holy to the Lord. This is why they are termed "saints" (holy ones). God is willing that all people be saved by believing in Jesus Christ and being baptized in water. But the royal priesthood was chosen from the beginning of the creation.

The royal priesthood, which is the Church, the Body of Christ, consists of people who have been chosen of God to be changed into the moral image of Christ and to be His brothers. They shall serve God, as does the Lord Jesus Christ, throughout eternity as representatives of God's Person to all of God's creatures.

Even though the saints have been called from the beginning of the world, they must lay hold on that for which they have been laid hold of by the Lord. It is possible for someone to take our crown, if we are not careful to make our calling and election certain by fighting the good fight of faith.

According to the Scriptures, the Lord Jesus is to fill everything in God's creation.

Christ is:

Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:21-23—NIV)

And we are there with Him, seated at the right hand of God in the highest Heaven. We are His body—"the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

Christ is our Life. When He appears we will appear with Him. More than this, He will appear in us, and through us shall establish His rulership over all of God's creatures.

Our goal is to be God's eternal house. To attain this goal we must give everything to Jesus, with no exception.

The Lord is looking for such people today. Will you be one of them? (from Building the House of God)